Grant Still Sideline, Thomson Challenges Pettis at UFC on Fox 9
The doctors have not cleared TJ Grant to return to action since a concussion for the Canadian out of his UFC 164 title shot against then champion Benson Henderson. Josh “The Punk” Thomson (20-5) finds himself benefiting from Grant’s situation has he has been given the first shot at new UFC Lightweight champion Anthony “Showtime” Pettis (19-2) at UFC on Fox 9.
TJ Grant is currently on a 6 fight winning streak and earned his title shot by knocking out former title challenger Gray Maynard.
Thomson is his second stint with the UFC is 1-0 coming off a 2nd round head kick knockout of former title challenger Nate Diaz. “The Punk” is 2-2 in his last 4.
Anthony Pettis at UFC 164 submitted Benson Henderson to become the UFC Lightweight champion. The win drives Pettis’s current streak to 4 wins in a row. The win was also the 2nd time Pettis defeated Henderson in a title bout, also have earned a Unanimous decision over “smooth” to become the final WEC title holder; as the company then merged with the UFC.
UFC on Fox 9 take place on December 14, at the Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, California.